The Chicago Bulls had a disappointing 2022-23 season. They concluded the season 40-42 and qualified for the NBA Play-In Tournament. Unfortunately, the Miami Heat eliminated them. Despite their disadvantages, the Bulls have certain advantages. They must fix offensive issues if they are to win more games and compete for the NBA Championship. The assault is led by Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan, but the team’s three-point shooting needs to improve. Addressing this weakness will boost team scoring and is critical to the Bulls’ return to the NBA Finals.
The Bulls’ collective defense is one of their most valuable assets. Last season, Chicago was ranked fifth in the NBA in defensive rating. Their defensive strategies and individual play appear to be effective. The team’s offensive rating, on the other hand, was near the bottom of the league, ranking 24th. When you look at their three-point attempts per game, things get even worse.
The Bulls ranked dead last in the NBA in three-point attempts. This is an extremely fatal flaw. To compete as a high-level offense in the modern NBA, teams must shoot and make three-pointers. The Golden State Warriors are a great example of a team that does this well. It is one of the reasons they have recently won NBA Championships. Fortunately, Chicago has the personnel to improve in this area.
Chicago has all of the necessary tools, but they must employ them.
When fans think of Chicago’s go-to scorer, Zach Lavine is most certainly the first name that springs to mind. Last season, Lavine averaged 24.8 points per game and hit 37.5% on seven three-point tries a game.
In addition to his inside and mid-range game, Lavine clearly has the ability to excel from beyond the arc. His partner in crime, DeMar DeRozan, excels offensively too but in different areas.
DeRozan is renowned for his prowess in the mid-range and his exceptional ability to drive to the basket and finish plays. Although he averaged 24.5 points per game last season, he notably fell short in a significant area for the Chicago Bulls – three-point shooting. DeRozan’s three-point attempts per game were limited to a mere 1.9. While he effectively plays the role of slasher and playmaker, expanding his three-point attempts is crucial to bolster the team’s overall performance. Fortunately, there are other players who can contribute in this regard.
During the previous summer, Chicago signed Jevon Carter, a prolific three-point shooter, who connected on an impressive 42% of his three-point attempts while averaging 4.2 per game. Carter’s presence immediately enhances the Bulls’ long-range shooting capabilities. Another player to watch is Patrick Williams, who made 41% of his 3.4 three-point attempts last season. With an expected increase in his responsibilities, Williams should help the team shoot more from beyond the arc.
Nikola Vucevic, a key member of Chicago’s “big three,” also brings a serviceable three-point shot to the table. As a center, he maintained a 34% success rate on 4.2 three-point attempts per game. Vucevic serves as a solid example for the team to follow in their efforts to stretch the floor. Evidently, Chicago has multiple players capable of contributing to the team’s three-point shooting. The challenge now lies in implementing a coherent plan to put this into action.
Improving three-point shooting is crucial for Chicago’s overall scoring performance
The Bulls have consistently been outscored by their opponents. This trend is particularly evident during preseason games, where the Bulls have been outscored by nearly all their opponents. Moreover, Chicago has not made significant strides in their three-point attempts. For instance, in a recent game against the Toronto Raptors, they attempted 26 three-pointers compared to Toronto’s 31, and this pattern repeated in most of their preseason games.
As Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan lead Chicago into the regular season, it’s imperative for the team to prioritize increasing their three-point attempts. Successful long-range shooting can yield significantly improved results. This adjustment opens up the possibility for Bulls fans to witness their team in an NBA Finals appearance, and even the prospect of securing an NBA Championship, provided Chicago’s players can effectively embrace and execute this change in strategy.
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